Huskers Remain Perfect with Win over UNO

Dylan Talley scored a Husker career high 22 points to lead four players in double figures, as the Huskers fought off a determined UNO squad, 75-62, at the Devaney Center Sunday afternoon, as part of the Joe Cipriano Nebraska Classic.

Talley, who also added four rebounds and five assists while playing a career-high 38 minutes, joined with fellow senior Andre Almeida in keying Nebraska's decisive 14-4 run which allowed the Huskers seize control from the Mavericks.

The Huskers trailed 46-44 with 15:46 remaining before Almeida's offensive put-back started the run, as the senior scored on consecutive possessions to begin the surge. Almeida finished with a season-high 19 points on 9-of-11 shooting and matched his career best with seven rebounds. UNO, which was held without a field goal for 8:47, was within 50-48 after a pair of C.J. Carter free throws, but baskets by Brandon Ubel and Ray Gallegos pushed the lead to six before Talley connected on layups on back-to-back possessions to help Nebraska build its largest lead at the time at 58-48.

Almeida and Ubel combined to shoot 14-of-17 from the floor, as the Huskers enjoyed a 46-14 advantage in points in the paint against the Mavericks. Almeida's 19 points were one off his career high, connected on 9-of-11 from the floor and had five of his seven boards on the offensive end. In all, Nebraska had 16 offensive rebounds and turned them into 24 points to remain perfect at 3-0 on the season.

UNO (1-4) got to within 65-55 after a Marcus Tyus 3-pointer with 5:36 left, but Talley, who was 6-of-8 from the floor in the second half, the Mavericks' comeback hopes with a pair of baskets to make it a 68-55 game.

In addition to Almeida and Talley, Ubel and Gallegos both added 11 points apiece, as the Huskers scored a season high in points and committed only nine turnovers. The Huskers overcome poor shooting from distance, hitting only 3-of-22 from 3-point range while withstanding a UNO squad which was 8-of-13 from beyond the arc.

Justin Simmons led UNO with 19 points while Alex Welhouse added 14, including 4-of-5 from long range, in a losing effort.

UNO, which shot 57.1 percent in the first half, built an early 23-17 lead before the Huskers and Gallegos got going from long range to roar back. Nebraska had missed its first six 3-point attempts before Gallegos hit a pair of 3-pointers as part of a 12-2 run that put NU up 29-25 after his second 3-pointer of the run. The Huskers eventually took a 36-34 lead into the break and led 44-40 before UNO scored six straight points, including an offensive put-back by Koang Doluony to earn its only lead of the half.

The Huskers continue tournament action on Wednesday evening, as they host the Tulane Green Wave (3-1) at the Devaney Center. Tipoff is set for 7 p.m. and tickets are available by going to Huskers.com, calling 800-8-BIGRED or visiting the Nebraska Athletic Ticket Office during business hours.